15 minute read
great events
Here’s your source for current and upcoming great events. Event information is subject to change without notice, therefore, we encourage you to call ahead and confirm – and be certain to tell ‘em you saw it in Suburban Family Magazine!
If you have an event of regional interest, we’d love to hear from you. Send to “Great Events” Fax: 866-779-4320, E-mail: mail@ subfam.com. Deadline for inclusion in the March/April issue is Friday, February 11th.
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JANUARY
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1
FITNESS New Year’s Day Burn – A morning of calorie-burning group fitness classes. Bring a non-perishable food item for entry “fee”. 8-11AM. No Registration required. Ackerman SFC. Glen Ellyn. Gepark.org.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
FAMILY Winter Fest at Winter Lights – Enjoy
Photo courtesy of Cantigny Park, Wheaton.
a walk around the park during Winter Lights at Central Park event. This outdoor event will include firepits, smores kits, and music. Oak Brook. Register obparks.org.
FAMILY Bald Eagle Days – The Quad Cities celebrates the annual return of these majestic birds each winter. Join us at the QCCA Expo Center. January 7-9, see webpage for hours and admission prices. Qccaexpocenter.com.
TRIVIA The Challenge: Live Quiz Game – Show off your knowledge as you compete for prizes during this friendly quiz game featuring pop culture, music, animals, history, geography and more. Register with a team or let us help you find one. 7-8:30PM. Mayslake. Dupageforest.org.
movie SHARK TALE in the pool! Participants will also receive a freeze pop treat. All Ages. 6-8 PM. Register. The CORE Indoor Pool, Lemont. Lemontparkdistrict.org. KIDS Nature Tot Workshop – Head outdoors and make a project that will encourage kids to interact with nature. 9:30AM. Lyman Woods, Downers Grove. Register dgparks.org.
TEENS/ADULTS Naperville Park District and
KidsMatter Community Job Fair – Individuals seeking summer, seasonal or year-round, part-time employment are invited to job fair representing 50 area businesses. 10AM–1PM. Fort Hill Activity Center, Naperville. napervilleparks.org.SUBFAM FILL small 12.17:Layout 1 12/15/17 11:35 AM Page 1
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 8
FAMILY Flick-N-Float – Join us as we watch the
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11
OUTDOORS Hiking with Our Nocturnal
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
HEALTH Nutrition Seminar Series – Learn steps to develop healthy eating habits; weight loss essentials, healthy eating on a budget, mindful snacking and nutrition for active individuals will be covered. 5:30-6:30PM. FREE event, registration required. Au-
rora. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
HEALTH Kids Nutrition Seminar: Founda-
tions – Ages 18+. Learn about your child’s basic nutritional needs, what foods to avoid and safe supplements. 6:30-7:30PM. CORE Gym, Kensington Room. Pre-register. Lemontparkdistrict.org.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13
ADULT Home Organizing Top to Bottom – Join professional home organizer Caralyn Kempner as she provided guidance and best practices on home storage solutions. Hinsdale, Helen Plum Library Auditorium. 7-8PM. Register. Helenplum.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
KIDS Super Hero Night –Put your superhero powers to the test with an obstacle course, dine on pizza, and write a letter to your favorite superhero. 6:30 - 8:30PM. Community Recreation Center, Wheeling. Register. wheelingparkdistrict.com.
OUTDOOR Guided Nature Walk – 18+. These casual walks will highlight seasonal natural happenings and are held snow, rain or shine. Hidden Lake Forest Preserve, Glen Ellyn. 9-10:30AM. Gepark.org.
TEEN Teen Snowball Fight and Sledding – Meet us out back on the patio for winter fun! Sledding will be at Spella Park Hill, dress for the weather. 2:303:30PM. Algonquin Public Library. aapld.libnet.info.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
ADULTS Ice Fishing 101 – Learn how to get started on some great family fishing adventures through the ice. Build your own ice-rod, discuss tackle needed, bait, where to go and safety precautions. 6:30-7:30 PM. Algonquin Library-Eastgate Branch, Algonquin. algonquin.org.
ADULTS WEDDING SHOWCASE – Connects couples with local businesses in every aspect of wedding planning. There will be a raffle with awesome prizes! FREE with pre-registration. Naper Settlement. 10AM-4PM. Napersettlement.org.
ADULTS Kohlfahrt –Take a winter hike “cabbage walk” on the trails of Primrose Farm, stopping to warm up from with some games, snacks and spirits. Finish up with a hearty German meal at Riverlands Brewing Company. 2-4:30PM. St. Charles. For tickets: primrosefarm.org.
CONCERT Baroque Showcase – Enjoy an afternoon of baroque as Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra musicians perform works of George Frideric Handel, Bach, Vivaldi and Telemann. 18+. 2:30PM. Purchase tickets in advance. Mayslake. Elmhurstsymphony.org.
KIDS Frozen Fest – Meet your favorite Frozen characters! Hot Cocoa, coffee, cookies and photo ops will be available. Free, pre-register. 10AM-12PM. Polar Plaza, downtown Glen Ellyn. Gepark.org.
MONDAY, JANUARY 17
FAMILY Mini-Golf in the Stacks – Play a self-guided game of mini-golf on our 6-hole literarythemed course in the stacks. All day. Harnish Main, Algonquin Public Library District. Aapld.libnet.info.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19
ADULTS Wine & Canvas at the Farm – Bring a bottle of your favorite wine, snacks and a few friends to enjoy a lively and creative night out! 6:30-8:30PM. Paintings posted monthly on Blackberry Farm’s Facebook page. Pre-register online. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20
LECTURE Tanks Support at D-Day, Omaha
Beach – Join retired U.S. Army Officer Steven Fixler for a deeper look at the amphibious tank landings at Omaha Beach during D-Day. Free. 7PM. DuPage County Historical Museum Auditorium, Wheaton. Dupagemuseum.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
FAMILY Disney on Ice – Skate alongside Disney characters! Music, photo ops, hot cocoa, treats and a craft. Pre-register and bring your own skates. 11AM12:30PM. Itasca. Itascaparkdistrict.com.
FAMILY Winter Fest – Some activities will include (weather permitting) penguin egg-hunt, winter games, arts and crafts, and more. Free. 1 - 4PM. Heritage Park, Wheeling. Register. wheelingparkdistrict.com.
KIDS Paint with Pikachu – Ages 6 +. Paint a Pikachu themed flower pot to take home and have a snack! Pikachu will stop by for a visit. Parents not required to attend. Register online. 10AM-11:15AM. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25
TEENS & ADULTS Community Chorus – All are welcome for our first rehearsal at 7PM. No auditions or fees. Bolingbrook. BolingbrookChorus.org.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29
KIDS Princess Tea Party – Sing, dance and craft with the special princess guest at this royal Valentine’s Day Tea with lunch, tea and entertainment. Adult must accompany children. 11:30AM-1PM. Preregister. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
FAMILY Feed the Critters – Enjoy a private, hands-on meet and greet and become a zoologist when you step behind the scenes of animal care. All ages. Hickory Knolls, St. Charles. stcparks.org.
FAMILY Frosty Fest – Hike on one of the selfguided trails at Red Oak Nature Center. Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa and a roasted marshmallow while warming up by the fire. Must purchase tickets. 4-7PM. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
MONDAY, JANUARY 31
FAMILY Pizza & Bingo Night – Bring the whole family for an evening of food, family and fun! We’ll play several rounds of Bingo, eat some pizza and win prizes. Pre-register. 6-7:30PM. Plainfield. Plfdparks.org.
. FEBRUARY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
OUTDOORS Hiking With Our Nocturnal
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
ADULT Donut Bingo – Enjoy a Wednesday
HEALTH Nutrition Seminar Series – Learn step to develop healthy eating habits. Topics such as weight loss essentials, healthy eating on a budget, mindful snacking and nutrition for active individuals will be covered. 5:30-6:30PM. FREE event, registration required. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3
OUTDOORS Hiking with Our Nocturnal
THEATER Winter Stage: “Matilda!” – Bring the whole family out to support the arts with our Winter Stage production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda!” February 3-5. 7-8:30PM. Prisco Community Center. Purchase tickets online. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5
ADULT Winter Wonders: Bird Spotting – Winter is an ideal time to see eagles in the wild as they congregate near the Fox River. 9AM Cornish Park. Binoculars provided upon request. Algonquin Public Library District. Aapld.libnet.info.
FAMILY Ice-A-Palooza – This free outdoor event features ice skating, concessions, games and character visits. 11AM-2PM. Central Athletic Complex, Wheaton. Wheatonparkdistrict.com.
FAMILY Winter Carnival – An indoor/outdoor event with hot cocoa, games, crafts, sledding and more. 1:30-4:30PM. Sunset Knoll Rec Center, Lombard. lombardparks.com.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
KIDS Kids Night Out – Take the night off while your kids enjoy an evening of Valentine fun! Ages 4-12 Fort Hill Activity Center, Naperville. Kids will make hearts, write Valentine letters to parents, play heartand-seek, Heart Beat and more. 6-9PM. Pre-register. Napervilleparks.org.
SENIORS Winter Wonderland Senior Prom – Enjoy a night full of music, refreshments and mingling with your friends. Ages 55+. Dress to impress. Crowning of Prom King and Queen. 5PM. Lincoln Center, Downers Grove. dgparks.org.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12
ADULTS Winter Wine Walk – Wine, food, shopping, & fun, 12 stops. On the day of the event, start at the Utica Village Hall, 801 S Clark Street, and pick up your Winter Wine Walk glass, passport, and 10 tasting tickets. 11Am – 5PM. Tickets: 2022uticawww. eventbrite.com.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
ADULTS Paint Your Pet’s Portrait – Your pet will be pre-sketched on canvas for you! Our instructor will walk you through the steps to create your pet portrait. Bring your favorite beverage and snacks to enjoy. 6:30-9PM. Pre-register online. Foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
HEALTH Community CPR/First Aid – This certification class includes training in CPR and AED for use on adults, children and infants along with firs aid techniques. Written test required to pass. Main Street Rec Center. Glen Ellyn. Gepark.org.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18
OUTDOOR Guided Nature Walk – 18+. These casual walks will highlight seasonal natural happenings and are held snow, rain or shine. Churchill Woods Forest Preserve, Lombard. 9-10:30AM. Gepark.org.
OUTDOOR Moonlight Hike – Come on outside for a night hike at Churchill Park. A nearly full moon illuminates mammal behavior, birds and how they stay warm in the winter. All ages. 8-9PM. Register. Glen Ellyn. Gepark.org.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19
ADULTS Winter Beer Festival – Featuring craft brews from the Chicago area. Heated and lighted tents, camp fires, outdoor seating and food trucks. 3-7PM. Westmont. Westmontparks.org.
FUNDRAISER The Batavia Mothers’ Club
Bunco Night – Join us for a fun night of rolling dice and flashing back to the 80s! Raffle, silent auction games, food and cash bar. 21+. 6:30 PM. Batavia Moose Lodge, Batavia. bataviamothersclub.org.
KIDS Wild Night Out – Spend the night cooking dinner around the campfire, hitting the trails and searching for nocturnal animals. End the evening with an indoor project. Ages. 5-10. Lyman Woods, Downers Grove. dgparks.org.
OUTDOOR Winterfest – Experience winter on the prairie. Adopt-a-Husky will have teams of Siberian Huskies and sleds for demonstrations and a history of dog sledding. Stay for snow shoeing and snow painting, weather permitting. FREE. 12-4PM. Bartlett. Bartlettparks.org.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21
TEEN Snow Tubing – Take a day trip to Villa Olivia for tubing fun! Fee includes 2 hours of tubing and an inner tube. With a stop at Culver’s on the way home. Register. 10AM-2:30PM. Lemont. Lemontparkdistrict.org.
TEEN Movie Night: Ready Player One – Stop by the library for movie night and snacks! High School students only please. Harnish Main, Algonquin. 6-8:30PM. Aapld.libnet.info.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24
FAMILY Virtual Headlines from History – Learn about one of the most horrifying acts of violence in organized crime history, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Online via Zoom Cantigny Park. 7 -
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26
FAMILY Engineering Fest – Build and learn, view the exhibits, meet engineers and learn about the systems that allow people to move through urban environments. 10AM–4PM. $7 and free for 12 and younger. Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago. architecture.org.
ONGOING
ADULTS Chicago Golf Show – February 2527. Over 180 vendors, a 4500 square foot demo area and special appearances from top PGA professionals. Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont. chicagogolfshow.com
ANIMALS Visit the Arboretum with Dogs –January 30 and February 20, dogs will be allowed on the grounds. Morton Arboretum, Lisle. Mortonarb.org.
ART Chicago Area Visual Artists Exhibit – January 5 – February 28. Enjoy works of art by this talented group as you immerse yourself in artistic interpretations of the natural world. Mayslake. Dupageforest.org
ARTS and CRAFTS Handmade Market Chi-
cago – Jan. 8 and Feb. 12, browse locally made items including funky jewelry, glass pendants, clothing, handbags, crafts and more, The Empty Bottle, Chicago. Handmadechicago.com.
EXHIBIT People of the Prairie: 12,000
Years in DuPage County – Feb. 4-June 5. Who were the people who called this area home before Illinois existed. FREE. Elmhurst History Museum, elmhursthistory.org.
EXHIBIT The Secret Forest – NEW interactive exhibit connecting our youngest visitors with nature and science through child-led play. 7 days a week, 10AM-4PM. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Lincoln Park. naturemuseum.org.
FAMILY Ice Castles Wisconsin – Award winning frozen attraction using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand placed by ice artists. Includes LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides and more! Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Icecastles.com.
FAMILY Open Swim – Open swim times at the Water Works. Wednesdays 5:30-8PM, Fridays 4-8PM and weekends 12-5PM. Schaumburg. Parkfun.com.
FAMILY – RV & Camping Show – Feb 17-20. the Midwest’s largest RV show and super sale with 400 new RVs on display. Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont. chicagorvshow.com.
KIDS Enchanted Railroad – Select dates in January and February, 10AM–4PM. Witness an intricate model railroad wind through magnificent scenery on a 2-level display. Morton Arboretum, Lisle. Mortonarb.org.
OUTDOOR Downers Grove Ice Fest – Feb. 4-6. A fun filled weekend for the who family. Live carving, ice carvings and more. Downtowndg.org
OUTDOOR Ice Skating – Private group and open skate sessions are available. Skate rentals are included with all reservations. The Forge Adventure Park. Lemont. forgeparks.com.
OUTDOOR Human+Nature Scultpures – Come see new sculptures in the Human+Nature Exhibit, open daily 7AM–Sunset. Last entry 3PM during winter months. The Morton Arboretum, Lisle. Mortonarb.org.
OUTDOOR Polar Plaza Synthetic Ice Rink – Rink is open until Feb. 21. Free to residents and area visitors. The rink has a synthetic (plastic) which replicates an ice surface. Glen Ellyn. Gepark.org
OUTDOOR Newton Park Sled Hill – Enjoy sledding on the only designated hill located near Newton Park. Sledding only during daylight hours. Weather permitting. Glen Ellyn. Gepark.org.
OUTDOOR Snowshoe Rentals – Must be at least 2 inches of snow, 2-hour rentals at the Bartlett Nature Center Trails. All rentals must be returned by 4PM M-F and 2PM on Saturday. Bartlett. Bartlettparks.org.
OUTDOOR Snowtrekking in the Nature Sanc-
tuary –January 9, Feb. 5 and 12. Snowshoes provided, pre-register. Must be at least 3 inches of snow. Burnham Park, Chicago. Chicagoparkdistrict.com.
OUTDOOR Maggie Daley Park Skating Rib-
bon – through March 13. Lace up your skates and enjoy an ice-skating experience unlike any other! Skate a path of ice winding through the rolling city landscape. Free admission, fee for skate rental. Chicago. Maggiedaleypark.com.
OUTDOOR McCormick Tribune Ice Rink – through March 6. Free admission, fee to rent skates. Online skating tickets required. Free skating lessons most Saturdays and Sundays 8-9AM. Chicago. Cityofchicago.org.
